Anxiety
disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. They
affect 40 million adults age 18 and older in the United States, or 18% of the
population each year. It can be triggered by a stressful situation, such as a
job interview or a first date. It can also be caused by an event that has
nothing to do with you or your life — for example, if you're on vacation and
hear explosions or gunshots outside your hotel room window.
Anxiety
disorders first develop in childhood. Although some disorders go away with
time, some persist into adulthood. Such a disorder can significantly affect an
individual's growth and development. For example, separation anxiety in
children occurs when children fear separation from their parents and guardians
for various reasons.
